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More reliable than a standard portable system, lightweight actuator brakes your car perfectly in sync with your motorhome. Pressure reducer protects cars with active or continuous-power-assist brakes, such as hybrids, from damage.
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Specs:
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A braking system is a must when towing a vehicle behind your motorhome. Without it, the weight of the towed car can create a safety hazard, strain your RV's brakes, and affect the warranty of both your car and motorhome. Most states legally require a supplemental braking system, so if you don't use one and you end up in an accident (which is more likely since your RV takes longer to come to a full stop), your insurance and liability headache just doubled. You also won't have any breakaway system; if there's an accidental disconnect, there's nothing to bring your car to a stop.
This simple device ensures that the BrakeMaster will work with vehicles that have active or continuous-power-assist brakes, most commonly found on hybrids. Active or continuous-power-assist brakes maintain braking ability even when the engine is off, so that minimal pressure is needed to engage the brakes. Many braking systems are designed to work with cars that don't have active brakes; on a car that does, they have the potential to use too much force and cause damage. The pressure reducer lets you set the BrakeMaster to the right pressure to avoid overbraking.
Roadmaster's BrakeMaster offers you truly proportional braking, meaning that when you apply the brakes in your motorhome, the braking system will engage the brakes of the toad (towed vehicle) at the same time, with the same intensity. Whether it's a gradual slow down to a red light or a sudden stop in an emergency, the toad and the RV will brake together.
This is a huge advantage over inertia-based systems, where the braking is triggered by sensing the forward momentum of your toad. While often effective, this method creates the potential for false braking, where something as simple as rough terrain can activate the system when it's not needed. Not only does this make for a rough ride, it can prematurely wear down your toad's brakes over time. The BrakeMaster will only turn on when you need it, so you can avoid any false braking.
To achieve proportional braking, the air compressor installed on the coach supplies the air pressure that will activate the braking cylinder. It connects to the proportioning valve (also installed on the motorhome), which measures the pressure with which the hydraulic brakes are applied in your RV.
The solenoid on the valve wires to your RV's tail lights; when it receives the signal that your motorhome brakes have been activated, it allows a proportional amount of air from the compressor to be released into the air line.
The air line routes back to a quick coupler on the rear of the RV, mirrored by a quick coupler on the front of the toad. The RV's coupler connects to the car's coupler with the included air jumper.
An air line then runs from the quick coupler to the reservoir of the breakaway system mounted under the hood. If there's ever an accidental disconnect, the breakaway system will trigger and send a reserve of pressurized air to the brake pedal and bring the car to a stop.
From there, an air line connects to the brake pressure reducer, also mounted under the hood, and then down to the quick coupler attached to a bracket under the dash. When you're ready to flat tow, attach the actuating cylinder to the driver's seat and the brake pedal, plug the cylinder into the coupler, and connect the RV and toad with the air jumper. Voila, the whole system is connected.
When you put on the brakes in your motorhome, the proportioning valve sends pressurized air almost instantaneously to the cylinder clamped to the toad's brake pedal. The cylinder actuates and presses the pedal down, braking the car at the same rate and with the same intensity as the RV.
The BrakeMaster is a hybrid between a portable system and a permanent system. Most of the components are permanently installed on the RV and in the toad, while the actuating cylinder is removable. Attached to the driver's seat and the brake pedal, the actuator is more secure than the typical portable system and has more accurate, reliable braking.
For the air compressor, you'll need find a good mounting location on your chassis, away from heat, moving parts, and the elements. You want it within 20' of the RV battery and somewhere you can easily drain condensation from the air tank as needed. The proportioning valve will also need to be mounted on the frame, and then teed into the motorhome's brake line.
The breakaway system installs under the hood. It's best if the cylinder is mounted vertically so it's easy to drain any moisture that builds up over time, but it can be tricky to find a spot for in the engine bay where you can access the drain valve on the bottom, so make sure you plan ahead. You also need to find a spot where it won't be exposed to any direct heat or moving parts.
Next, mount the reducer under the hood. Select a mounting surface that's strong enough to hold the bracket in place and somewhere where it's out of the way of any moving parts. You also need easy access to the control knob and the air pressure test port on the front of the bracket.
To mount the actuating cylinder, you're going to need to install a custom seat adapter (sold separately). If there isn't one available for your year/make/model, you can use a universal floor plate (450650-01 - sold separately) instead.
Installing the BrakeMaster is a big undertaking, but once it's done, setup only takes a few minutes. To connect the actuator, attach the clamp to the pedal on one end and the other end to the bracket under your driver's seat. Plug the air jumper into the quick couplers on your RV and toad, and you'll be ready to flat tow.
Keep in mind, the BrakeMaster has more connection points than comparable braking systems and they are more likely to develop leaks. It can also be difficult to find space in the engine bay for all the components, especially on newer models. The complicated installation requires careful precision, so you'll really need to know what you're doing. This is not for the casual DIYer!
Included with this system is Roadmaster's BrakeAway. A breakaway system is an absolute must for safe flat towing. In an emergency situation where the toad becomes detached from the RV, the breakaway switch will immediately activate the brakes and bring your vehicle to a stop.
The BrakeMaster also comes with an indicator light for safety and peace of mind. This light, mounted on the dash of your RV, is easy to see while you're driving, and will light up when the brake pedal of your toad is depressed. This lets you know that the system is working and your toad is in fact braking.
Most supplemental braking systems have a method of letting you know you when they activate , but not all of them are checking if the toad is actually braking . There could be an error that causes the system to activate without actually applying the toad's brakes. Or your brake pedal might actually be continuously depressed when it shouldn't be. But unless you have a system that's monitoring your vehicle, you won't know it until the damage is already done.
The indicator light that comes with the BrakeMaster connects directly to your toad's brake light switch. That way the indicator only lights up when your brake pedal is depressed and a signal is sent to the brake lights.
Flat towing can be a much more convenient way to take your car RVing with you than using a trailer or a tow dolly. It'll save you storage space both at home and at the campsite, and it takes less time and hassle to hook up.
To flat tow your vehicle, there are 5 basic components you're going to need: a tow bar, a base plate kit, a safety cable set, tow bar wiring, and a flat tow braking system.
| For the RV | Between the RV and Towed Car | For the Towed Car |
|---|---|---|
| Hitch | Tow bar | Base plate |
| Wiring plug | Safety cables | Braking system |
| Wiring adapter cord | Wiring kit/diodes |
The custom-fit base plate installs on the frame of your toad so you can connect the car to your RV with a tow bar. Hook up safety cables between the vehicles to ensure that the toad does not separate from the motorhome if the tow bar becomes detached. Tow bar wiring syncs your vehicle's signal lights with your motorhome's tail lights, as required by law in most states. Finally, the flat tow braking system - also required in most states - activates the brakes in the toad when you hit the brakes in the RV, making for smoother, safer braking, and preventing wear on your motorhome.
Alternate Instructions
Average Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (121 Customer Reviews)
More reliable than a standard portable system, lightweight actuator brakes your car perfectly in sync with your motorhome. Pressure reducer protects cars with active or continuous-power-assist brakes, such as hybrids, from damage.
The install on my Ford Maverick is clean and functional, so this is more of a customer service review... excellent customer service!
During the 4-day towing set-up install, the forecast was for freezing temps and my rig was not winterized. I called in mid panic and the motorhome was moved indoors.
A few months after using the tow set-up, a minor problem developed. I called and the CSR apologized and said, I can see how that might be frustrating, and a replacement cable (slightly longer) was sent free of charge.
Second set on second Jeep, Brake system works great, a bit of an install with the air lines and placement of the small tank in the crowded engine compartment BUT once it is in the setting of the brake peddle arm is easy!
Kit fits great! Hooked up a 2004 Workhorse to a 2002 Jeep Liberty. It might be preferable to be handy with some advanced mechanical skills and tools to install this efficiently. Directions are great but you do need to figure out your own locations for certain items like the break-away reservoir, compressor, routing lines and wires out of harms way, but not bad at all. Parts are great, everything there but added a couple different wiring splices of my own.
Love the system better brake control than with other electric ones
works very good, did not come with indicater light or wire that tells you in the cab that the breaks have been activated
Make sure you order the plate needed for your vehicle. Had to wait a week until that came in to complete the installation. Plus if you are placing in a Ford Edge, there is a firewall access behind the battery. Knowing this makes it easier to do. Also on the Edge you have to make a small extension to get the connectors easier to disconnect.
This is a simple straight forward brake system.Had it installed in about a half day. The only thing that took the time was running the air line and wiring on my 40ft.rv.Had enough air line for the rv but had to buy more for the tow vehicle.No big deal.The brakemaster itself is really easy to install.Anyone with a little mechanical experience won't have a problem.Works like it should.Thanks e trailer!
For me it is the perfect towed braking system! Simple operating principle, easy installation, quick set-up and detach. Never needed for breakaway, but pre-trip test is always perfect functioning. Definitely saves on coach braking force needed.
(Installed on 2015 Itasca 34T DP w/2007 Toyota Tacoma)
Works as it should and easy to install and remove
it works great
I used this on a 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser, so I could flat tow it behind an Motorhome. Easy to install! This works awesome.
I've been looking for a braking system for my tow vehicle for a while trying to determine which one I wanted. For ease of installation, ease of use both when I'm not towing and when I'm towing, I decided on the RoadMaster 9100. I then shopped prices and came back to etrailer where I found not only better or comparable prices but all the other items I am looking for as well.
I installed this on our 2004 Chevy Colorado. Was a snap. You will need the optional relay kit too. Our RV is a 97 Monaco Roadmaster suggests dealer installation. I would go along with that too, for most people.
In my case, my skills include most things automotive and diesel and street rod electrical systems. So i was comfortable doing it.
These are well made and stronger than I thought they would be. With the installation video I feel I can do the job easily.
Roadmaster was real slow with the delivery of the seat adapter. But Michael kept me informed all the way through to the delivery. etrailer is 5 stars all the way from start to finish. I look forward to using them in my orders to follow.
Now for ROADMASTER products
RM-643 safety cables quality is good work fine Delivery was fast
RM-9160 brake master system Love this system instructions were easy to follow
RM-15267 toad tail light/brake wiring good instructions for install
RM-1550-1 base plate good instructions for install except you need to drill two 1/2'' holes you must measure and mark as there is no pilot hole.
The whole system works great with the 2008 Honda Pilot
RM-88189 seat adapter I have yet to install as I had to make up my own for the trip.
I will say the seat adapter bracket is made just for the Honda and Acura, they had to make custom make. Thanks to all the car towed great for my first trip of 1,100 miles
Your customer service leaves nothing lacking, and this follow-up from you is so out of character for the many web sites I have purchased from over the years. I am impressed by you and your company.
I bought the tow bar and the brake system for my Equinox, and installed them my self (I am 70 years old) - and with your provided instructions and video, I had no problems (even though I was surprised by the number of parts and detail that went into the assemblies).
Both systems have worked very well, with no problems. I am completely satisfied with them, and have told my friends and traveling acquaintances about your company.
Thanks for your follow-up!
Great supplemental braking system. We are the second owners of our class-A motorhome. The original owners had installed a Brakemaster system; so we figured to use the same type of equipment as well - and we're glad we did. Having a proportional air over hydraulic braking system seems to provide a more accurate braking experience for our 2018 Ford Fiesta. Each time I apply brakes on the motorhome, a red LED light on the dash illuminates to tell me that the brakes are being applied on the tow vehicle as well.
This kit was installed on a 2007 Jeep Patriot. It did require fabrication of a seat mount bracket. Fairly easy with some angle iron and some spacers. Install was fairly straightforward. It required mounting the surge tank inside the engine bay and running wiring to and from the battery and breakaway switch. It also required mounting the quick release air fittings at the bumper, inside the vehicle, and also at the rear of the RV. I also mounted the LED indicator inside the RV and utilized the existing towing harness to run power from the vehicle to the front of the RV.
Parts that I ordered through etrailer came ahead of the date the promised and complete. All of the ordering process was very easy and I had full confidence I would receive the correct parts.
Got everything installed except the foot that mounts to the floor. It wasn't in the box. I called etrailer who contacted Roadmaster and they said they would ship and I should have in a couple of days. Installed everything else along with the tow bar and light kit. Followed all the instructions and all went smoothly with no issues. Just have to wait for the missing part to complete and test.
I love this whole kit accept for a couple things that I'm working through now. I have a 2018 F150 and a 2020 Nexus Ghost super C. On the F150, I purchased the seat bracket. When I put he hydraulic cylinder on, the hose was too short. It had a permanent pre-made hose. I have enough line to make a new hose, but had to go the the hardware store and buy new compression fittings to make the new line. No big deal, but annoying. Also on the NeXUS brand diesel pusher, I called Roadmaster to get clarification on where exactly to bust into the brake line and clear up the warranty question. They were very polite and helpful. They told me exactly how to determine the "metered" line. I've yet to finish that part of the install. But they indicated it would not affect my warranty with International nor would it cause any unsafe situation should my vehicle come loose from the MH and have to use the emergency stop feature built into the Brakemaster system. Both my MH and my tow vehicle is protected. I think that they could do a much better job explaining the MH side of things. All in all-it seems it will be a great system.
Installation does take some time as you will have to find a good place to install the break away cylinder. I could not find any reference material for my application. 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL with the 2.0 liter engine. The only place I could find to install it was between the battery and the fender. If you are not mechanically inclined I would recommend having this installed by a professional.
The product shipped on time and has been worry free. etrailer gets 5 stars for customer service every time I order from them.
I ordered this part mainly due to the quoted delivery date which was 9/12/2023. After my order was placed I get a notice that they received my order and that I could expect delivery on 9/14/2023. This completely screwed up our plans and all I received back was a "so sorry" email. I won't buy anything from this company again and I would warn those who may order something needed by a certain date to look elsewhere as these people do not stand behind what they say.
The Roadmaster Brake sys, seat adapter, and Roadmaster base kit do a very good job towing my 2013 Explorer
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